The lackadaisical approach to tackling local environmental issues leaves Barbados in a precarious position, says chairman of the Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust (BECT), Neysha Soodeen.
In an interview with Nation Online, Soodeen said that the speed at which environmental matters are dealt with allows for them to escalate which in return leaves the island open to disaster.
“As policies are put in place to ban single use plastics and Styrofoam, there is no policing or fines on companies which still import them or use them for food retail,” she began.
“This adds to our waste management crisis which means more methane being released into our atmosphere (which goes against our government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2030). When that happens, pollutants run off to our aquifers and sea which directly affects the health of our human population and fish population, respectively.”
Soodeen, who has been chairman for four years, continued: “If our reefs are not regenerated or saved, our coastline (beaches and coastal areas) will be further destroyed. Not only does that affect those who live on the coast but also everyone who works at a hotel or restaurant. Barbados’ tourism product will be seriously affected as most of our visitors still come for our sun, sea and sand. There is also a need to regenerate our mangroves which also protect our coast.”
The chairman stressed that farming would also be affected because the land became more polluted and the soils less arable, which means the yield would be a lot lower.
“As food prices increase, our vulnerable population will revert to a less healthy, affordable diet resulting in an increase in Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes,” she noted.
This year’s theme for World Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 is “Invest in the Planet”, an apt call to action in the eyes of Soodeen given the state of global affairs.
“Human activity has played a massive role in climate change which affects us all,” she explained. “Hurricanes and tornadoes have become more severe, droughts become longer, floods wipe out entire villages. All of this affects our health, our basic safety and our food security.
‘Invest in our planet’ brings governments together and brings a collective awareness of what we all need to do, from our leaders to the tiniest shopkeeper to children, on the part we all have to play to protect our world.”
When asked what ordinary people can do in order to protect the environment, Soodeen said: “It’s being aware of the little actions: limiting your waste and recycling as much as possible, limiting the amount of pollutants you flush away, supporting local organic farmers and planting trees. Don’t support businesses which are not adhering to our environmental policies. Don’t use plastic straws, cutlery, cups or bottles.”
The Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust raises funds through our international network and works with major local and regional companies who do not have the time to oversee and analyse the impact of their Corporate Social Responsibility dollars to local conservation projects.
Their aim is to raise $600 000 annually and they have a scientific committee which analyses the impact of every project on the island and a steering committee which oversees the donations and its impact on the success of the donation to the project. (JC)